Course Catalogue 2026-2027

This seminar will introduce students to the thought of Lutheran theologian Robert Jenson, whose work is marked by a peculiar combination of scriptural depth, speculative power, and ecumenical scope. Students will explore Jenson’s major theological and philosophical influences, including his early formation in the school of Bultmann and his decisive encounter with the thought of Karl Barth. Particular attention will be paid to Jenson’s revisionary metaphysics, by which he sought to overcome the “unbaptized god” of Hellenism with the radically temporal God of the gospel. Other topics to be considered are Jenson’s views on the sacraments; his ecumenical engagements, grounded in his “evangelically catholic” understanding of the Reformation; and his late turn toward the figural and allegorical reading of Scripture. The primary text for the course will be Jenson’s two-part Systematic Theology, with occasional forays into his early writings (especially Story and Promise and Visible Words) as well as his commentaries on Ezekiel and the Song of Songs.

This course examines the effects of historical consciousness on the understanding of dogma within Roman Catholic theology in the 19th and 20th centuries between Vatican I and Vatican II. Students will study the origins of neescholasticism and its development in the 19th century, Catholic modernism and the responses to it, as well as theories of development. Readings will include: Adolf von Harnack; Alfred Leisy; George Tyrrell; Friedrich von Hugel; Karl Rahner; and others.

This course examines the effects of historical consciousness on the understanding of dogma within Roman Catholic theology in the 19th and 20th centuries between Vatican I and Vatican II. Students will study the origins of neescholasticism and its development in the 19th century, Catholic modernism and the responses to it, as well as theories of development. Readings will include: Adolf von Harnack; Alfred Leisy; George Tyrrell; Friedrich von Hugel; Karl Rahner; and others.

This course examines the effects of historical consciousness on the understanding of dogma within Roman Catholic theology in the 19th and 20th centuries between Vatican I and Vatican II. Students will study the origins of neescholasticism and its development in the 19th century, Catholic modernism and the responses to it, as well as theories of development. Readings will include: Adolf von Harnack; Alfred Leisy; George Tyrrell; Friedrich von Hugel; Karl Rahner; and others.

This is a doctoral seminar in which we read four seminal texts in the Moltmann corpus, namely Theology of Hope, The Crucified God, The Church in the Power of the Spirit, and The Trinity and the Kingdom of God. By the end of the seminar students will have a thorough introduction to Moltmann’s theology, its problems and possibilities, and its significance for contemporary Christian faith and life.

Both Karl Rahner and Bernard Lonergan devote much study to the role of philosophy in theology. Moreover, both are influenced importantly in this effort by the modern interpretation of Thomas Aquinas developed earlier by Belgian philosopher and mystical psychologist Joseph Maréchal. However, besides some obvious similarities in what they take from Maréchal, there also are certain crucial (if often unnoticed) differences. This course investigates these crucial philosophical differences and how they influence the basic theological perspectives of Rahner and Lonergan. Special attention will be given to their differing theological accounts of religious experience, Jesus’ human knowledge, and the role of the psychological analogy in Trinitarian theology.
 

This course offers an in-depth exploration of key theological ideas, concepts, and models that characterize contemporary African Christianity and are foundational to the field of African (Christian) theology. Students will engage African theologians who have explored seminal theological issues such as an interface between African indigenous religions and Christianity, the relationship between grassroots theologies and peer-driven academic theologies, theological sources, gospel-culture relations vis-à-vis women's experience and oppressive societal structures, and christological models. The course encourages robust reflections on contextual theologizing and the contribution of African Christianity to the phenomenon of world Christianity.

Theological disagreements on particular moral issues often reflect underlying but unnoticed differences on the more general question of how a theologian properly makes any moral judgment. This course draws on the writings of Bernard Lonergan to explore both (i) that more general question and (ii) current theological disagreements on two particular issues of sexual morality, namely, contraceptive acts and homosexual acts. Previous familiarity with Lonergan's work is helpful but not required. Readings include selections from Lonergan's writings and Vatican documents. Weekly discussion preparation and participation, four one-page reflections, final paper, and take-home exam.

Theological disagreements on particular moral issues often reflect underlying but unnoticed differences on the more general question of how a theologian properly makes any moral judgment. This course draws on the writings of Bernard Lonergan to explore both (i) that more general question and (ii) current theological disagreements on two particular issues of sexual morality, namely, contraceptive acts and homosexual acts. Previous familiarity with Lonergan's work is helpful but not required. Readings include selections from Lonergan's writings and Vatican documents.

Examination of Augustine's writings against the Manichaeans, the Donatists, and the Pelagians. Discussion of weekly readings and a major paper.

Examination of Augustine's writings against the Manichaeans, the Donatists, and the Pelagians. Discussion of weekly readings and a major paper.

Examination of Augustine's writings against the Manichaeans, the Donatists, and the Pelagians. Discussion of weekly readings and a major paper.